onlinemedia
Robson Sharuko
H-Metro Editor
FROM the depths of despair, the storm of shame and the pain of betrayal, a defiant and stronger Shashl has emerged − a songbird on a mission to fulfil her potential and make headlines for all the right reasons.
This is clearly a happier Shashl, someone who is in a good space, a young woman who refused to be buried by the demons of her industry and showed remarkable resilience to refuse to be swallowed by the darkest chapter in her life and career.
It’s a measure of her steely character that Shashl survived the storm, confronted and dealt with the pain and shame of her sex tape being leaked online.
She even appears to have emerged from all of it stronger and, more importantly, happier.
This is a different Shashl.
Someone who is not burdened by the DJ Levels sex tape fiasco, the flurry of negative headlines which were provoked by that controversy, which even spilled into the courts, and the battering which her profile received.
Someone who wants us to judge her by her artistry, by the power of her lyrics, by the beauty of her voice, by the magic of her stage performance − something she appears to have invested a lot of time and effort into – and the music she is producing.
And, on a chilly Sunday night in Mbare, all this was on display as Shashl performed on day one of the two-day festival which was marking the official opening of Mbare Grills.
It’s a pity there were just a handful of people to watch her with the organisers paying a price for their foolish decision to peg the cheapest ticket at US$30 and VVIP tickets going for US$150 for an event in the heart of Mbare.
Those behind Mbare Grills − a fine joint with both outdoor and indoor facilities for its patrons − did wonders to come up with such a state-of-the-art entertainment centre in this historic suburb of Harare.
But, for them to believe that patrons can splash between US$30 and US$150 to enter into an event in Mbare is day dreaming and this was a brutal reality check for them as rough estimates show that not more than 30 people paid to watch the first day of the grand opening.
Somehow, they had anticipated a bumper crowd and even found a place at George Stark High School for patrons, who did not have the VVIP tickets, to park their vehicles and be brought to the show on a shuttle bus.
The parking space adjacent to the joint was reserved for the VVIP ticket holders but the few cars which were still parked there by about 11pm showed that this was a gamble which had backfired terribly.
The situation was not helped by the ridiculously expensive drinks at the joint where a bottle of Glenfiddich 18 whisky costs a whopping US$245 − which is even more expensive than what the five-star Pabloz and La Parada joints in Borrowdale and Chisipite charge their clients for similar liquor.
The irony about it all was that just before nightfall, there were more people watching a Nyau show along the street where this Mbare Grills nightclub is located than those who were inside for the show.
The line-up had some fine artists who included Gemma, Kae Chaps, ExQ and Shashl but with the cheapest ticket going for US$30, on a chilly winter night in Mbare, many fans of these musicians chose either to stay at home or have their fun elsewhere.
Against that background, it must have been disappointing for Shashl that her fine performance, backed by a full band and a supporting act of choreographers who added real value to her stage work, was only witnessed by a few people.
Among those in the crowd was her father, Dr Obediah Moyo, the former Minister of Health, and her mother, who braved the chilly weather to provide support for their child.
It’s something they have been doing since the dark days of that court case and waking up every day to read the latest negative headlines related to that infamous sex tape.
The Moyos have been exemplary parents, showing others that the best time parents can throw weight behind their children is when the days are dark and the friends are few.
They beamed with pride as their daughter showcased her skills on stage with both maturity and the type of confidence which sent a bold message that she had closed that controversial chapter, confronted her demons and defeated them and was now in a good space.
She sampled songs from her new album, “The First Quarter,” and caught the eye with her dance routines, which blended well with her huge supporting cast, and it quickly became clear that this is a group which has been investing a lot of time in their stage performance.
Shashl appears to be borrowing a lot from American superstar Beyonce, when it comes to stage performances, and while they are worlds apart, you can’t fault her for trying.
Beyonce might be her hero, which is not something bad, and with her performance coming on the eve of Heroes Day, her timing could not have been better.
But, what was important here wasn’t just about a young artist overshadowing everyone else with a set that was as good as it gets and which warmed the hearts on a chilly night in Harare.
What was important here was the amazing story of a human being whose career and, more importantly, whose life, could have been shattered by a dark chapter which tested her to the limit and threatened to bury her.
That she refused to be buried is testimony to her remarkable strength of character and the massive support system which her family, and fans, provided for her.
The negativity was brutal but her response has been powerful. In the past, the narrative was Shashl was all about good looks, a powerful family background and nothing else.
Then, the sex tape leaked and her world was turned upside down.
She chose to fight back.
Now, this is a different Shashl, yes, she still has those good looks and a powerful family which remains committed to her cause.
But, now, there is more.
This is Shashl the entertainer in a very good space, who is making her music and stage performance do all the talking, create all the headlines and define her as an artist.
It was all on show on a bitterly cold night in Mbare on Sunday.
Given the dark space where she was, just a few years ago, this is a beautiful story of resilience and a never-say-die attitude which clears the path to success.
After all, even Kim Kardashian showed that a woman can emerge from the darkness of leaked sex tapes to become a success story.
Online Reporter